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Re: Escapees Changes
Reply #25 –
Quote from: thefuofus  - 
Translated:

"Our goal is to get out from under the cost of managing these businesses, and offer the land to the first developer who comes up with a cash offer. "

That leaves basically one RV park and the mail service.

While we might no longer need it (we haven't in a few years), I am watching to see what an alternative mail service might be.

It's sad, because we've been Lifetime SKPs for over 20 years.
Re: Escapees Changes
Reply #26 –
"If I had a family member in CARE, I'd be seriously looking for a new long term care option."

Oh, brother - I wasn't even thinking about CARE. There was a time when I thought of that as a possibility when I have to hang up the keys. It wouldn't have been my first choice, because of the climate (I loathe humidity). But now? I wouldn't take the risk of having it sold out from under me in a year or two.

This really does look like the end of Kay and Joe Peterson's dreams. How sad.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Escapees Changes
Reply #27 –

Wanna bet they’ll be selling off the mail service soon?  Looks like the Carr kids are tired of work and ready to retire…. What’s the point of the club now?
Zia, our 2006 24’ TK
570 watts solar, 300Ah lithium
SKP Lifetime member #105622
Land of Enchantment
Re: Escapees Changes
Reply #28 –
I'm also reading a lot of concern from younger fulltime SKPs/Xscapers - pre-Medicare age - who are currently domiciled in Florida through Escapees.  Florida is the only easy domicile state that has ACA health insurance plans that offer nationwide network coverage, so it's been the predominant choice for those folks.  When Escapees no longer has a physical presence in Florida, those folks will likely be scrambling to find a solution.
Re: Escapees Changes
Reply #29 –
Quote from: Jaxon  - 
Wanna bet they’ll be selling off the mail service soon?  Looks like the Carr kids are tired of work and ready to retire…. What’s the point of the club now?

My thoughts also.   What is the point?   We did use their recommended RV insurance carrier but frankly nothing else.   Sadly looks like it's time to move on.

glen
personal fine art photo stuff
TF Mack | Flickr
It's all good .......
2014 Twin King
Re: Escapees Changes
Reply #30 –
I basically use Escapees for the travel stops when I'm on the road.  How will the Co-op Parks continue without the membership network?  Could we still use the same ones as always, but without being SKP members?  It would be nice to get some information.
Kristin
1997 MB
Re: Escapees Changes
Reply #31 –
Quote from: Michelle C  - 
While we might no longer need it (we haven't in a few years), I am watching to see what an alternative mail service might be.

It's sad, because we've been Lifetime SKPs for over 20 years.

Further complicating the mail forwarding issue is the whole "homeland security" farce about no home address = terrorist.
fu
2015TK
Re: Escapees Changes
Reply #32 –
I hope the coop parks survive unharmed by the sell off of the corporate owned parks.  My assumption is that the coops are owned by the members and have some kind of a contractual relationship with the Escapee organization. The coops offer community and always have the welcome mat out for transients...they offer an economical option that is becoming harder to find. SKP Saguaro is on my "bucket list" as a place I'd like to spend more time when I fully retire in a few years...hope it continues as is.  They're offering a monthly rate of $465 including FHU and cable TV and WIFI, where else can you find that?

https://www.colliers.com/en/properties/premier-rv-club-portfolio/usa-14301-co-rd-28-summerdale-al-36580-usa/usa1142655
Todd (and Steve)
'17 Winnebago Minnie Winnie and '13 Honda CRV
(Former '99 RB owners from 2012-2016)
Re: Escapees Changes
Reply #33 –
Todd, I looked up the park and found this video.  Sounds like a nice place to spend the winter.  You can briefly see a newer brown Lazy Daze at about the 3 minute mark. Wonder if it’s anyone here on the forum?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQDLo9jijXg&t=85s&pp=2AFVkAIB
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Escapees Changes
Reply #34 –
Quote from: Kristin Lambert  - 
I basically use Escapees for the travel stops when I'm on the road.  How will the Co-op Parks continue without the membership network?  Could we still use the same ones as always, but without being SKP members?  It would be nice to get some information.
Kristin

Harvest Host CEO posted this today on the Escapees Facebook page (I'm including just the relevant part of his much longer marketing schpiel post):

Hi everyone -

It's Joel Holland here (CEO of Escapees / Harvest Hosts), and I want to share a message with the Escapees membership base given all of the discussion over the past few days.

As many of you have heard by now, the Carr family is exploring the potential sale of a number of the Escapees RV Parks. To be 100% clear, Harvest Hosts did not acquire the Escapees RV Parks in our transaction this summer. Our agreement was only focused on the RV Club (the membership, events, and community business); the RV Parks and Mail Forwarding Services businesses remain under the ownership of the Carr family. The decision to sell the RV Parks is the Carrs alone, although we're in close contact with them to see how the process goes. The Carrs know that we're open and eager to work with the new buyer to keep the connection to Escapees in place going forward.

It is worth noting that the SKP Co-Op Parks are not affected by this sale and are independently run by their own boards. They remain a great benefit to Escapees members.
Re: Escapees Changes
Reply #35 –
I don’t use most of the Escapees benefits but I do have roadside assistance through them which is provided by SafeRide Motor Club. I’m wondering what affect, if any, these changes might have on that service?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Escapees Changes
Reply #36 –
I love Saguaro..."when the mountains turn pink, it's time to drink".  :)  Thanks Hilola for the you tube tour...I've been there twice (very short stays) and love the park.

Long term plan for us might include becoming snowbirds and hanging out in Saguaro or a similar community for part of each year.
Todd (and Steve)
'17 Winnebago Minnie Winnie and '13 Honda CRV
(Former '99 RB owners from 2012-2016)
Re: Escapees Changes
Reply #37 –
My wife and I have been lifetime leaseholders at the Saguaro Co-op since 2018 and thoroughly enjoy it. We spend 6 months a year here and as we get older will probably spend more time at “home.”  During our orientation it was pointed out that the park can pull its affiliation with Escapees corporate at any time. Corporate has nothing to do with the co-ops but it benefited them when they could not afford to build more corporate parks. For the time being everything is staying the same. We still have a waiting list of 350+ people wanting a lot so the park is healthy financially.
Frank & Maryann
Re: Escapees Changes
Reply #38 –
I like the co-op model. MN (my home state) is big on co-ops. My electricity comes through a co-op. We have a huge food co-op in Burnsville. And 2 senior co-op apartment buildings in Burnsville. This is what I like most about Escapee...the co-op parks
Todd (and Steve)
'17 Winnebago Minnie Winnie and '13 Honda CRV
(Former '99 RB owners from 2012-2016)
Re: Escapees Changes
Reply #39 –
Quote from: thefuofus  - 
We shall see how this shakes out, especially for the SKP co-op parks.

The Co-op parks are not owned, nor have they ever been owned,  by the Escapees Club so are not part of this deal.  The Escapees Parks (formerly Rainbow Parks) are all up for sale with the exception of the park in Livingston, the main headquarters of the Escapees and their mail service.
Linda Hylton